It was a night of emotions for Orlando City on Saturday night. Outside of the Fuerza Puerto Rico match, which raised thousands of dollars for hurricane relief and outside Kaká’s final game in an Orlando City jersey, was a moment of magic.
Joe Campo, affectionately known throughout the supporters section as “Purple Deadpool” was one of the capo leaders that led the Wall in chants throughout the match. The former member relations and vice president for The Ruckus tragically passed away in a car accident on October 31st, leaving his family and friends devastated.
During the Fuerza Puerto Rico game, the Wall memorialized Campo on the capo stand, with a purple Deadpool sticker, a banner reading “#BeJoe” and his number 69 custom Deadpool jersey hanging from the capo stand which he used to passionately lead chants from.
It only seemed fitting that the Lions, the team Campo cheered his heart out for, would score in the 69th minute, thanks to Hadji Barry. It was a special moment that could have come straight from a Hollywood screenplay.
As the cheers from the goal subsided, the Wall took a moment to honor their fallen brother with a minute of silence.
Chants started back up with all the supporters chanting, “Be Joe!” as Campo’s girlfriend Corinne Battersby, donned Joe’s custom purple Deadpool mask and jersey, led the Wall in chant from the capo stand he always stood on.
“To honor the fallen supporter was important,” Head Coach Jason Kreis said after the match, “We, in this club, believe that our fans are not just fans. We believe that they’re part of their family and it saddens all of us that a tragedy like that has happened.”
The memory of Joe Campo and his legacy will not be soon forgotten around Orlando City as his memory will live on with the supporters in the Wall.
You can make a donation to a GoFundMe setup in Joe's name that will assist his family and son. As of this writing, nearly $15,000 has been raised.
#BeJoe
